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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"